Lifetime's work to go under hammer

Auctioneer Kevin Hayward with some of the Bob Bell model
engineering collection. Photo by Craig Baxter.

A collection of models will go under the hammer in
Dunedin next week.

The collection features more than 70 steam and
radio-controlled models built by respected Dunedin model
engineer Bob Bell.

''Within half an hour of putting it up, there were people
peering in the window,'' Hayward's auctioneer Kevin Hayward
said this week.

''I would think this is the largest collection of live steam
that's been available around the country for a long time.
He's very well regarded in New Zealand and internationally as
a model engineer. They've all been exhibited and run around
Kettle Park [the Otago Model Engineering Society],'' Mr
Hayward said.

''We've already had a lot of national and international
interest. We've got international bidders who are going to be
waiting on the phone.''

The models were hand-built by Mr Bell and include steam
engines, hydroplanes, radio-controlled boats and even a 2.2m
sit-on steam truck with articulated trailer.

Otago Model Engineering Society president Jon Winton
predicted there would be ''plenty of interest'' in the
collection.

''I don't think you'll ever see another collection like this;
especially all by one man. People don't have the time or the
skills these days,'' Mr Winton said. ''It's a very impressive
collection. You're talking a lifetime's work. Bob is a life
member of the society and he's been a member since the
beginning of time. He was a very prolific modeller. He's one
of the real old-timers.''